How to Become a Nurse Practitioner
| 9 Min Read
Nursing is one of the most dynamic and expansive fields in healthcare. Whether you are drawn to primary care, mental health, anesthesia or a specialized area like neonatal or forensic nursing, the path to becoming a nurse offers multiple rewarding career options. As medical technology advances and millions more Americans gain access to healthcare, demand for qualified nurses at every level continues to grow.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about 3.4 million registered nurses were working in the U.S. in 2024, with employment projected to grow 5% through 2034. For advanced practice nurses, including nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives, the outlook is even stronger: BLS projects 35% growth from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average, adding an estimated 134,000 positions.
Whether you are just starting out after high school or are an experienced RN ready to advance, Sacred Heart University’s online MSN programs provide flexible pathways to help you reach your goals, including specializations in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Both programs are designed for working nurses and can be completed online.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Nurse?
The time it takes to become a nurse depends on the level of practice you are pursuing. The steps below outline a clear pathway to advanced practice, with estimated timelines for each stage.
Step 1 — Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): 4 Years
An ADN from a community or technical college is one route to RN eligibility. Programs typically take about four years to complete, including prerequisite coursework, general education requirements and nursing clinicals. After graduating, you must pass the NCLEX-RN to become a licensed registered nurse. Some ADN-prepared nurses later continue to a BSN through an RN-to-BSN bridge program.
Step 2 — Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): 4 Years
A BSN from a four-year university remains the most common path to RN licensure. BSN programs include courses in anatomy, physiology, leadership, community health and evidence-based practice alongside extensive clinical rotations. According to BLS, many hospitals, particularly large health systems, prefer or require a BSN for staff nurse positions.
Step 3 — Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): 2-3 Additional Years After BSN
An MSN prepares RNs for leadership and advanced practice roles, including nurse educator, nurse administrator, nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist. Most MSN programs take two to three years to complete. Earning an MSN with a specific concentration, such as FNP or PMHNP, qualifies you to sit for the national certification exam required to practice as an APRN in your specialty.
Step 4 — Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): 3-4 Additional Years After BSN
A DNP is a terminal clinical degree focused on advanced practice, quality improvement and healthcare leadership. Some nurses pursue a DNP after earning an MSN; accelerated BSN-to-DNP programs are also available. A PhD in nursing, which focuses on research and academia, is a separate path that typically requires additional years of study beyond the master’s level.
How Do You Earn a Nursing License?
Once you graduate from an accredited ADN or BSN program, you must apply for licensure through your state board of nursing and pass the NCLEX-RN. The exam, developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and administered by Pearson VUE, tests the knowledge and clinical judgment needed for safe, entry-level nursing practice.
In Connecticut, the initial RN license application fee is $180, according to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, and the initial APRN license application fee, required for nurse practitioners, is $200. Other requirements, such as criminal background checks, fingerprinting and application fees ranging from $75 to $200, vary by state. Contact your state board of nursing for the specific requirements in your state.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) hold the highest clinical level of practice in nursing. They assess patients, diagnose conditions, develop treatment plans and, in many states, prescribe medications independently. Becoming an NP requires completing an accredited MSN or DNP program with a nurse practitioner concentration, then passing a national certification exam in your specialty.
Why Earn a Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner?
An FNP-track MSN is the fastest route from RN to independent primary care provider, and one of the most in-demand roles in outpatient and community health settings. Family nurse practitioners are prepared to provide primary care across the lifespan, from infants and children to older adults. FNP programs combine advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology and clinical hours in diverse primary care settings. Graduates are eligible to sit for the FNP certification exam through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
According to BLS, registered nurses working for government agencies earned a median of $106,480 in 2024, while those in hospitals earned $97,260. For nurse practitioners as a group, the 2024 median wage was $129,210. FNPs commonly practice in:
- State, local and private hospitals
- Outpatient care centers and community health clinics
- Private offices of physicians and independent NP practices
- Academic medical centers
- Telehealth platforms
FNPs are among the most versatile advanced practice nurses, often serving as a patient’s primary point of contact for routine and preventive care. In many states, FNPs practice independently and have full authority to diagnose, treat and prescribe without physician oversight.
Why Earn a Master of Science in Nursing: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner?
The PMHNP specialization positions graduates to fill one of the most critical gaps in the U.S. healthcare system, the shortage of qualified mental health prescribers. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners provide comprehensive mental and behavioral healthcare, including diagnosis, therapy and medication management for patients across the lifespan. PMHNP programs prepare graduates to address conditions such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and substance use disorders. As the nation’s mental health workforce gap continues to widen, PMHNPs are in especially high demand.
Graduates complete a national certification exam through the ANCC to earn the PMHNP-BC credential, which is required for advanced practice in most states. According to BLS, nurse practitioners, including PMHNPs, are part of an occupational group with a 35% projected growth rate through 2034, among the fastest of any healthcare profession. PMHNPs also command strong compensation; according to Medscape’s APRN Compensation Report, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners earn an average of $134,000 annually.
A psychiatric nurse practitioner typically completes an MSN with a PMHNP concentration after earning a BSN. Most MSN-PMHNP programs take two to three years, meaning the full path from BSN to PMHNP credential is approximately six to seven years, including undergraduate nursing study. Nurses who hold an ADN and complete an RN-to-BSN bridge before the MSN may add one to two years to that timeline.
Nursing Salary and Career Outcomes by Role
Nursing offers a wide range of salaries depending on your level of education, specialty and setting. The table below compares several roles, the additional education required beyond an RN license and representative earnings based on the most recent BLS and Medscape data, with sources linked above.
| Nursing Role | Education Required | Approximate Annual Earnings |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | ADN or BSN + NCLEX-RN | $93,600 median (BLS, May 2024) |
| Nurse Manager / Nurse Administrator | BSN required; MSN often preferred | $117,960 median (BLS, May 2024) |
| Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) | MSN or DNP + FNP certification | Part of $129,210 NP median (BLS, 2024) |
| Psychiatric Mental Health NP (PMHNP) | MSN or DNP + PMHNP-BC certification | $134,000 average (Medscape APRN Report, 2023) |
BLS notes that RNs working in government settings earned a median of $106,480 in 2024, well above the overall RN median of $93,600. For nurses in educational services, the median was $74,360, while those in hospitals earned $97,260. Advancing from an RN to an MSN-prepared NP role represents one of the most significant earning jumps in nursing.
How Do I Apply for a Compact State Nursing License?
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is an agreement among member states that allows qualified RNs and LPNs to hold one multistate license and practice in any participating state without obtaining separate licenses. As of 2026, 43 jurisdictions are part of the NLC, including states such as Florida, Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Virginia and, most recently, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
To apply for a compact multistate nursing license, you must meet the following requirements. Each condition must be satisfied before a multistate license can be issued:
- Live in a compact state: Your primary state of residence must be an NLC member state. Nurses who reside in non-compact states must apply for single-state licenses in each state where they wish to practice.
- Meet your home state’s licensure requirements: This includes graduating from a nationally accredited nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN.
- Pass a criminal background check: All compact states require a federal fingerprint-based background check as a condition of the multistate license.
- Meet the uniform licensure requirements established by the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC): These include holding a valid U.S. Social Security number, having no felony convictions and being eligible for an active, unencumbered license.
Apply directly through your state’s board of nursing. If you already hold a single-state license and move to an NLC state, you will need to transfer your license by applying for licensure by endorsement in your new home state.
The compact also governs practice rights across international borders in limited circumstances. U.S. nurses wishing to practice abroad, or internationally trained nurses seeking U.S. licensure, must go through a credential verification process with TruMerit (formerly CGFNS International) or an equivalent body, and then apply for licensure through an individual state board. Reciprocity agreements between the U.S. and other countries are not uniform, so it is important to confirm requirements with both the destination country’s nursing regulatory body and the NCSBN before relocating or practicing across international lines.
An MSN opens doors to nurse practitioner roles, leadership positions and higher earning potential. See how Sacred Heart University’s online MSN program is built for working RNs.
About Sacred Heart University’s Online Nursing Programs
Sacred Heart University offers a range of online nursing programs designed to meet nurses where they are in their careers. From the RN-to-BSN degree for working nurses seeking to expand their credentials, to MSN programs with FNP and PMHNP specializations, SHU’s nursing curricula are built around flexible online learning, dedicated faculty with clinical experience and preparation for national certification exams.
SHU is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ensuring graduates meet the rigorous standards required for advanced practice licensure. A student engagement specialist is available to answer questions about program requirements, timelines and next steps.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, the master’s degree program in nursing, the Doctor of Nursing Practice, and the post-graduate APRN certificate program at Sacred Heart University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.